As you know the Atlas ACF 70t covered hopper is as heavy as a cinder block. So today while I had a chance, I decided to remove some of the weight and lighten it up. To my surprise I discovered that the bulk of the car is brass. The only part of the car that is plastic is the shell and the frame. The rest is brass. So much for weight loss.
Plastic Shell and Frame
The body which is brass.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
To my surprise I discovered that the bulk of the car is brass.
Are you sure it's brass? I thought Atlas used diecast (white metal) for the hopper bays. They're not charging enough if it's brass!
When I was putting it back together. I had scratched the paint where the screws mounted. One side it was silver on the other it was yellowish. Ether way there is no way to reduce the weight. I was just surprised. I have several other cars. Mainly boxcars that are way to heavy that also need to be lighten up. It will be interesting to see how they were built.
Atlas makes extensive use of diecast underframes and floors on their masterline freight cars.
At 23 ounces the little Atlas 70 ton covered hoppers are heave for their size compared to similar models or the NMRA RP. However, they are still lighter than a fully loaded 1/48 scale model should be.
I have several other cars. Mainly boxcars that are way to heavy that also need to be lighten up.
Lightened up? Heck no! Don't modefile those Atlas cars. Just get more power. 
It will be interesting to see how they were built.
Atlas Masterline 40 foot box cars weigh 19 to 20 ounces. Their 50 footers are about 25 ounces. MTH Premier boxcars weigh 17 ounces for 40 footers and 50 footers are 19-21 ounces.
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
